20 degrees Celsius is equal to 293.15 kelvin.
To convert Celsius to kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature because kelvin starts from absolute zero, which is -273.15°C. So, 20°C plus 273.15 equals 293.15 K, showing how Celsius values shift to kelvin scale.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Celsius (°C) to kelvin (K) is very simple: K = °C + 273.15. This works because kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is the lowest possible temperature where particles have minimal energy. The Celsius scale sets 0°C at the freezing point of water, so to get kelvin, you add 273.15, shifting the scale upwards.
For example, if you have 20°C:
- Start with the Celsius value: 20°C
- Add 273.15 to it: 20 + 273.15 = 293.15
- The result is 293.15 kelvin
Conversion Example
- Convert 0°C to kelvin:
- 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
- This means freezing point of water is 273.15 kelvin.
- Convert -10°C to kelvin:
- -10 + 273.15 = 263.15 K
- This shows temperatures below freezing are positive kelvin values.
- Convert 37°C to kelvin:
- 37 + 273.15 = 310.15 K
- Body temperature in kelvin scale.
- Convert 100°C to kelvin:
- 100 + 273.15 = 373.15 K
- Boiling point of water in kelvin.
- Convert 25.5°C to kelvin:
- 25.5 + 273.15 = 298.65 K
- Room temperature expressed in kelvin.
Conversion Chart
| Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | 268.15 |
| 0.0 | 273.15 |
| 5.0 | 278.15 |
| 10.0 | 283.15 |
| 15.0 | 288.15 |
| 20.0 | 293.15 |
| 25.0 | 298.15 |
| 30.0 | 303.15 |
| 35.0 | 308.15 |
| 40.0 | 313.15 |
| 45.0 | 318.15 |
Read the chart by finding the Celsius temperature on left, then see its kelvin equivalent on right. This helps quick reference without calculations.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many kelvin is 20 degrees Celsius equal to?
- What is the kelvin temperature when Celsius is 20?
- Convert 20°C into kelvin scale, what’s the result?
- Is 20 Celsius warmer or colder than 293 kelvin?
- How do I calculate kelvin from 20 degrees Celsius?
- What kelvin value corresponds to 20°C in scientific measurements?
- Why does adding 273.15 convert 20 Celsius to kelvin?
Conversion Definitions
Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale where 0 degrees is the freezing point of water and 100 degrees is boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. It is widely used for everyday temperature measurements and scientific work, based on the metric system.
Kelvin: Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature, starting at absolute zero, the lowest physically possible temperature. It uses the same incremental scale as Celsius but shifted so that 0 K equals -273.15°C, useful for scientific temperature calculations.
Conversion FAQs
Why can’t kelvin temperatures be negative like Celsius?
Kelvin scale starts from absolute zero, which is the lowest possible temperature. Since it measure absolute thermal energy, values below 0 kelvin don’t exist, unlike Celsius which uses an arbitrary zero point at water freezing.
Can I convert kelvin back to Celsius easily?
Yes, converting kelvin to Celsius is simple: just subtract 273.15 from the kelvin temperature. For example, 293.15 K minus 273.15 equals 20°C. This reverses the original conversion formula.
Is the conversion formula exact or approximate?
The formula K = °C + 273.15 is exact by definition, because kelvin and Celsius scales differ by a fixed offset. No rounding errors occur in the constant 273.15, making it precise for all practical uses.
Why does the conversion add 273.15 instead of just 273?
The value 273.15 is used to be more precise, accounting for the exact difference between absolute zero and Celsius zero. Using 273 alone would introduce a small error, relevant in scientific experiments.
Does converting temperatures affect how hot or cold something feels?
No, converting between Celsius and kelvin only changes the numerical representation of temperature, not the actual thermal energy or sensation. The physical heat remains same, just expressed in different units.